Scenarios about 'Sputnik'
The first artificial Earth satellite, launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, marking the beginning of the Space Age. Sputnik's successful deployment shocked the United States and sparked the Space Race between the superpowers, profoundly influencing Cold War politics, military development, and scientific education. In alternate history scenarios, different outcomes of the Sputnik launch often explore changed trajectories of space exploration, technological development, and geopolitical power balances.
What If Satellites Were Never Launched?
Exploring the alternate timeline where artificial satellites never made it to orbit, dramatically altering global telecommunications, navigation, military capabilities, and our understanding of Earth and space.
What If The Space Age Never Began?
Exploring the alternate timeline where humanity never ventured beyond Earth's atmosphere, permanently altering technological development, geopolitics, and our understanding of our place in the cosmos.
What If The Space Race Never Occurred?
Exploring the alternate timeline where Cold War tensions never escalated into a competition for space supremacy, fundamentally altering technological development, international relations, and humanity's relationship with the cosmos.